Ultrastructure of the nematode pathogen, Bacillus penetrans

The ultrastructure and development of Bacillus penetrans in root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp., was studied with a transmission electron microscope. Host infection was by a germ tube from the cup-shaped sporangium containing the endospore. The prokaryotic vegetative cells contained septa formed by an ingrowth of the inner layer of the trilaminate cell wall and were associated with mesosomes. Structure of the endospore was similar to other bacteria with a spore protoplast enclosed within two cortical layers and three spore coats. An exosporium which may function in attachment and host specificity surrounded the endospore. Ultrastructural changes accompanying sporulation were similar to those reported for other endospore-forming bacteria but with some parasite specialization. The filamentous vegetative growth was characteristic of some Actinomycetales. Endospore development at the apices of dichotomously branched filaments of the thallus resembled the genus Actinobifida.     

SOME IMMUNOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF W1 AND W2 WOLFGRAM PROTEINS ISOLATED FROM RAT BRAIN MYELIN

Starting from a chloroform-methanol (2: 1 v/v) insoluble pellet of rat brain myelin, two pure proteins W1 and W2 were isolated by sodium dodecylsulphate preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Their amino acid composition was compared. Antibodies against these proteins were prepared in rabbits. It was found that the two antigens have common antigenic similarities. The presence of one precipitin line of identity when myelin or isolated W1 and W2 from different animals were tested, led to the conclusion that there was no species specificity. The importance of the availability of such antisera is discussed.     

The formation of an azo anion free radical metabolite during the microsomal azo reduction of sulfonazo III.

An ESR spectrum is observed during the anaerobic incubation of the diazonaphthol dye sulfonazo III, with rat hepatic microsomes and NADPH. This spectrum is characterized by a partially resolved 17-line hyperfine pattern and g = 2.0043, as is consistent with the spectrum of an azo anion free radical, [R-N-N-R′]^$\text{?}$. Oxygen, which strongly inhibits microsomal azoreductase, destroys the ESR signal. The oxidation of the azo anion radical metabolite by oxygen to the parent azo dye may account for the oxygen inhibition of microsomal azoreductase.     

Some improvements in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of proteins. Protein mapping of eukaryotic tissue extracts.

In the course of adapting O'Farrell's (1975, J. Biol. Chem.250, 4007–4021) two-dimensional separation technique for proteins to eukaryotic material, we have made some modifications. During sample preparation, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) can be included, with a resulting enhancement in reproducibility of gel patterns. However, heating in the presence of SDS leads to artifactual spots in the gels, probably as a result of protein charge modifications. Ultracentrifugation reduces the clogging at the top of the isoelectric focussing gel. For electrophoresis, some modifications of apparatus and technique are suggested. For the analysis of gels, a simple high-efficiency method for the counting of radioactivity in spots from dried gel slabs is described. In addition, an inexpensive microdensitometer option is described for the analysis of the autoradiographs. Patterns of proteins obtained from superior cervical sympathetic ganglia of rats and from other eukaryotic tissues are illustrated. Finally, a few of the proteins commonly found in mammalian tissue are identified on the gels.     

Use of carminomycin on adult patients with acute leukemias]

The data on the clinical trials of karminomycin, a new antitumor antibiotic are presented. The drug was used in the treatment of 46 adult patients with leukemia. Karminomycin was used in primary inducing therapy and treatment of relapses. The results of the trials showed that karminomycin had a definite therapeutic activity in treatment of acute myeloblast leukemia at various stages of the process. A rapid effect of the antibiotic provided its use in emergency cases with rapidly progressing variants of the disease.     

Effect of antibiotics on the structure and function of the ovaries

Streptomycin, penicillin, levomycetin, florimycin, cycloserin, erythromycin, sekazin, novobiocin, tetracyclines and neomycins had a stimulating effect on the sexual organs of the tests animals during the 1st decade of their administration. With long-term use some of the drugs induced dystrophic changes in the ovary. The signs of stimulation in the ovary were evident from increased activity of the oxidation-reduction enzymes in the inner membrane of the follicles and the interstitial cells of the stroma, as well as in an increase in the number of the maturating follicles. With long-term long use of erythromycin, sekasin or novobiocin, disappearance of the primordial follicles, an increase in the number of the atretic follicles and death of the ovocytes in the mature follicles were observed in the ovary.     

Slide staining device for use during space flight.

A slide staining device is described that performs Gram and Wright stains during space flight. Reagents and liquid wastes are contained within a closed system.     

Effect of culture conditions on synthesis of L-asparaginase by Escherichia coli A-1.

The nutritional requirements and culture conditions affecting biosynthesis of L-asparaginase in a mutant of Escherichia coli HAP designated strain A-1 were studied. Asparaginase activity was increased by the addition of L-glutamic acid, L-glutamine, or commercial-grade monosodium glutamate. The rate of enzyme synthesis was dependent on the interaction between the pH of the culture and the amount of oxygen dissolved in the medium. A critical oxygen transfer rate essential for asparaginase formation was identified, and a fermentation procedure is described in which enzyme synthesis is controlled by aeration rate. Enhancement of L-asparaginase activity by monosodium glutamate was inhibited by the presence of glucose, culture pH, chloramphenicol, and oxygen dissolved in the fermentation medium.